After the first three Serie BKT matches, Venezia FC midfielder Bjarki Bjarkason reflects on this stage of the season for the arancioneroverdi and looks ahead to the weekend clash against Cesena. The Lagunari will take the field on Saturday, September 20 at 15:00 at the Penzo Stadium.

Bjarki Bjarkason, Venezia FC midfielder
“We started well by winning in the Coppa Italia and then also against Bari. It’s true that when you can’t win it’s still important not to lose, but in the next match we need to find again the rhythm we showed against Bari and Mantova. In my opinion, we are working well, even though there are still some aspects to improve and small mistakes, like the ones we made in Pescara. This week we reviewed those mistakes and we’ll try to learn from them, working well together: this way things will go for the best.

I really like the way coach Stroppa works and the way he wants us to play: pressing high up the pitch and putting in a lot of intensity. This approach, so aggressive and determined, really excites me. Since the beginning of the year he has trusted me and so far I’ve played every match. I believe in the work I do and in what we do together as a team: if every day we all give our best, results will come.

Cesena is a quality team, they already proved it last year and are confirming it in these first three matches of the new season. But we must focus only on ourselves, on our game and on our teamwork. If we stay united and do what we have to, I’m sure we will play a great match.

Last year, the injury period was difficult, because you know you can’t play for 2–3 months, but you have to stay calm, keep working and think about coming back even stronger. I always worked hard, even though when I returned to the team I was maybe a bit behind in terms of fitness, since four months of work had already been done. It wasn’t easy, but you have to move forward.

Playing is always important, but I really like the role I’m covering now on the left side. As a kid I often played in that advanced position and I always enjoyed it. Of course, the important thing is to be on the pitch, whether on the left, the right, or as an attacking midfielder, but I must say I really feel comfortable in the position where I’m playing now.

I’ve been here in Venice for a long time and I really appreciate the atmosphere both at the training ground and in the city. In this period I’ve grown a lot, and for me that’s a fundamental aspect. I like the path we’re on and I always want to give everything on the pitch to help the team: defend well, not concede goals, but also contribute with goals or assists. In the end, winning is what counts, but scoring or providing an assist always brings great satisfaction.”